Barishal people hail Padma Bridge’s last span installation as another victory

The people in the country's northern region are over the moon as their long-cherished dream has come much closer to fruition with the installation of the Padma Bridge's last span.

Barishal people consider this auspicious occasion – 10 December –is another victory day for them. 

City people hope the region's economy as well as people's living standard will witness a sea change rapidly after the inauguration of the bridge. 

"It is the most special event for the industrial sector of Barishal division. We would celebrate the day if the Covid-19 pandemic did not exist," said Saidur Rahman Rintu, president of Barishal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). 

Industrialisation in Barishal will see a quick growth as many business and industries are now contacting the BCCI to get land in the region to establish industries there, he said. 

Transportation of goods between Dhaka and Barishal will be very easy, Saidur added. 

"The bridge will change the scenario of the division's industrial sector. I had some plans to build different types of factories in Barishal but I could not due to transportation problem. Now, I will start constructing the factories as soon as possible," said Mizanur Rahman, chairman of Fortune Shoes Group. 

Businessmen faced severe problems in transporting goods through ferry services at Mawa Ghat, which hampered the exports, said Mizanur. 

"The patients of the region will benefit the most. Sometimes critical patients need to be shifted to Dhaka immediately. But the ferry service creates an obstacle on the way," said Mahabubur Rahman, medical officer at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal. 

The bridge was going to ease different types of sufferings of people, he added. 

"We are happy and thankful to our prime minister. We have to wait at the ferry ghat regularly for crossing the Padma. Sometimes, we have to suffer immensely," said Rafiqul, a truck driver of Barishal who travels to Dhaka very often. 

Traders of fish markets were highly pleased as they will be able to send their fishes to Dhaka on time, said the fish traders of the Port Road in the city. 

Hotel and rest house owners were now more interested in investing in the region as the number of tourists will increase after the bridge is completed, said Motaleb Hossain, secretary of the Kuakata Hotel Motel Owners Association. 

"We have won the world by installing the last span of the bridge. The bridge was beyond our imagination just a decade ago, but now it is a reality. I am expressing my gratitude to the prime minister for her success on behalf of the people of the southern areas," said State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque. 

The bridge has already started to make a positive impact on all sectors in Barishal, he said. 

"We are giving our heartiest thanks to the prime minister and all others related to the bridge construction for the success," said Sushanto Ghosh, president of Barishal Reporters Unity.